Blyth Spartans name EFL legend as new sporting director as part of landmark takeover

Blyth Spartans name EFL legend Steve Howard as their new sporting director as part of Irfan Liaquat’s landmark takeover at the club.

Their ambitious plans Investment company Winners Worldwide includes setting their sights on the Football League Club with fans invited to meeting and to give thoughts on their five-year vision.

An emotional day especially for Tony Platten as he retires as the owner of Blyth Spartans having been involved with the club since 2000.

They currently sit 15th in the National League North table with 42 points from 34 games played, 7 points above the drop zone and 12 points from the playoffs.

𝐀 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬 – 𝐈𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛#HowayBlyth 🟢⚪️https://t.co/o76uDjEsVv

— Blyth Spartans (@Blyth_Spartans) February 21, 2024

Worth noting Tony Platten has apparently left the club debt free, waiving his £700,000+ directors loan to the club.

— Green Army (@BlythsGreenArmy) February 21, 2024

For me, it’s a wait and see at Spartans but it’s down to the new owners to build on what Tony Platten and Kevin Scott are handing over to them.

It all sounds exciting but the questions will only be answered with progress and actions.

— Mark Carruthers (@MarkCarruthers_) February 21, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

New Club chairman Irfan Liaquat, of Winners Worldwide, has pledged to unlock huge potential and deliver league football to Blyth Spartans and the Northumberland town for the first time.

Irfan, a Tyneside-based businessman, angel investor and philanthropist, outlines a five-year plan that includes:

Striving for success – the CLub will be resilient and keep moving forward

Championing the local community through a programme of education and engagement

Connecting new fans and old by creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive space at Croft Park

Investment in key areas on and off the field – developing a winning mentality and building on the values and ethos of Blyth Spartans

Maintaining tradition and respecting heritage as the Club prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary

Irfan commented this afternoon: “Blyth Spartans is the most famous non-league Club in the world. We are surrounded by a fantastic community. We want to get out of this tier as a matter of urgency.

“We will spend money but we won’t spend it like it’s going out of fashion. We know what we need to do and we will get to work instantly. There are exciting times ahead and you will see exactly what we need to do.

“I’ve been here as a fan and it took me five minutes to decide this is what I want. I’m looking forward to engaging with supporters.”

Irfan has appointed former Premier League striker Steve Howard as the Club’s new sporting director. Steve, a former Derby County, Leicester City and Luton Town player has already started working alongside Jon Shaw to shape the Spartans’ squad of the future.

New board members include business development specialist Benice Taylor, Blyth-born education specialist Richard Kirkby, sales and risk management expert Craig Ridley and Colin Blackett – recently appointed as managing director (operations) by the outgoing owners.

A Q&A event for supporters will take place in the social club this evening at Croft Park and the new owners have made available thousands of free tickets ahead of Saturday’s National League North clash against Boston United.

The announcement describes him as being of “Winners Worldwide,” implying that this is the most significant part of empire as a “businessman, angel investor and philanthropist.” Winners Worldwide is an 11-month-old limited company with £1 of share capital.
2/ pic.twitter.com/TBFnbQghum

— Martin Calladine (@uglygame) February 21, 2024

As far as I can tell, only *one* of Mr Irfan’s eight companies has *ever* filed a set of accounts at Companies House. That company,
Your City Location Ltd, filed two sets of dormant accounts and two microcompany accounts.https://t.co/OjR6b0GN3A
4/

— Martin Calladine (@uglygame) February 21, 2024

Now it may, of course, be the case that he has other sources of wealth and more than delivers on his multi-hyphenate self-description, but I couldn’t immediately see what that would be. Doesn’t mean it isn’t there, though.
6/

— Martin Calladine (@uglygame) February 21, 2024

PS: Apologies to Mr Liaquat, halfway through the thread, I switched from calling him Mr Liaquat to Mr Irfan, which is his first name. My bad.

— Martin Calladine (@uglygame) February 21, 2024

Irfan Liaquat said, per Mark Carruthers: “Community at heart of this football club. We can’t stress the importance of that and I’ve briefed my team on that. We are the community and they are us.

“Investment required on and off the pitch. We have enthusiasm and a winning mentality.

“I’ve built a strong team. We’ve had key, inspiration people help us put this together and everyone is equally excited.

“Steve is sporting director, he will work alongside Jon Shaw to work on the team. His football brain and business brain speak volumes. Know what we need to do.

“Blyth Spartans is the most famous non-league club in the world. We are surrounded by a fantastic community. We want to get out of this tier as a matter of urgency.

“We will spend money but we won’t spend it like it’s going out of fashion. We know what we need to do and we will get to work instantly. There are exciting times ahead and you will see exactly what we need to do.

“I’ve been here as a fan and it took me five minutes to decide this is what I want. Looking forward to engaging with supporters.”

Shaw: “I’ve worked at a club with a rapid growth plan and I’m excited for the fans here. My job is on the grass and I’m a big believer in where Irfan and Steve are coming from. Fans have been under it for the last four or five years. They survived. This leads to the next step.

“It will be a slow burner. It’s a tough level. It won’t happen overnight but I have no doubt with the message sent out, we will see improvements.”

Howard: “Seen the plans for the club and community and it’s something I want to be involved in. The plans for the next five years can take the club to the next level.

“This whole concept is something I couldn’t turn down.”

HOWARD’S CAREER:

Youth career
1994–1995 – Tow Law Town

Senior career
1995–1999 – Hartlepool United – 164 games (32 goals)
1999–2001 – Northampton Town – 95 games (18 goals)
2001–2006 – Luton Town – 228 games (103 goals)
2006–2008 – Derby County – 72 games (20 goals)
2008–2012 – Leicester City – 169 games (32 goals)
2012–2013 – Hartlepool United – 45 games (3 goals)
2013 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) – 8 games (1 goal)
Total – 781 games (209 goals)

International career
2007 – Scotland B – 1 game (1 goal)

Honours
Individual
PFA Team of the Year: 2004–05 League One
Football League One Player of the Month: August 2004

Luton Town
Football League One: 2004–05

Derby County
Football League Championship play-offs: 2006–07

Leicester City
Football League One: 2008–09

Steve Howard scoring for Luton in the 2004/05 season. #LTFC pic.twitter.com/wWiGGbRCpC

— Hatters History (@HattersHistory) March 8, 2021

This is what users on Twitter are saying as Blyth Spartans name EFL legend player Steve Howard as new sporting director as part of a landmark takeover for the club…

@BossingBertie: Fingers crossed 🤞 Thanks to Tony Platten & Co for keeping the club alive when it desperately needed it and the rollercoaster ride since.

@BlythsGreenArmy: Worth noting that Tony always said he wouldn’t give the club up to just anyone. Had to be to the right people with the right plan. I very much doubt he’s sold the club without doing proper due diligence.

@DanRolls7: What a fucking day man! Makes the struggles over the last 5 years worthwhile. #HowayBlyth 🟢⚪️

@TempleViper: Never thought I would see the day, but on to better things #HowayBlyth

@ChrisVesseyCUFC: 100% this will end in tears. When will these Clubs learn!?

@Sam1879_: Blyth to league two 🤩

@danhumee10: 5 years of relegation fights , on to better things hopefully 🟢⚪️

@19hill72: Hopefully stay up then build on it next season

@tylerjamez2001: As much as I don’t like youse, I hope to god that this doesn’t end up like a Cala situation for us because of first impressions this looks questionable at least.

@neil_pattinson7: Blyth Spartans on the charge!

@LRbix: I smell other Cala situation pending here for some reason..

@dom_33: Great news for Blyth Spartans & North East football 👏 exciting times

@danielbeaney_: The North East is just better.

@luispafc: Spartans are massive

@Grimmy16: Wow #HowayBlyth

@PeartBlyth: Very good onwards and upwards

@HParkz10: Massive this 👏

@atjg__: Massive this, exciting stuff.